Major League Soccer could be gearing up for another monumental arrival. Reports have surfaced that FC Cincinnati has initiated preliminary discussions with representatives for Brazilian legend Neymar regarding a potential move to the Eastern Conference side. While direct negotiations with the 34-year-old superstar have yet to take place, the club is actively exploring the financial and sporting feasibility of the blockbuster transfer.
Neymar to MLS? FC Cincinnati Opens Preliminary Talks
According to reports from The Athletic and ESPN, FC Cincinnati has made initial contact with Neymar’s entourage to gauge his interest in an MLS switch. The Ohio-based club is currently holding internal conversations to determine if pursuing the global icon makes sense for their long-term project.
Cincinnati believes that its strong financial backing and state-of-the-art facilities make it a highly credible destination for elite global talent. While they have yet to bring in a true global superstar of Neymar’s magnitude, Cincy has been one of the most ambitious and consistent teams in MLS, notably winning the 2023 Supporters’ Shield.
This isn’t the first time Neymar has been linked to North America. After departing Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in 2025, the Chicago Fire held serious negotiations with him. Ultimately, Neymar opted for a romantic return to his boyhood club, Santos FC, in Brazil, where he recently extended his stay through the end of 2026.
The Financial Hurdle: Designated Player Slots
Despite the mutual interest, a significant structural obstacle stands in the way of FC Cincinnati finalizing a deal: strict MLS salary cap rules.
Currently, Cincinnati does not possess an open Designated Player (DP) slot. All three allotted positions are occupied by players on long-term contracts: Evander, Miles Robinson, and Kevin Denkey (who arrived for a club-record $16.1 million fee ahead of the 2025 season). None of these contracts can simply be bought down, meaning Cincinnati would need to offload at least one of their current DPs to make room for Neymar.
Furthermore, meeting Neymar’s financial expectations will be a massive undertaking. At Santos, his contract guarantees extensive perks and an image rights deal that reportedly funnels at least $15 million in marketing revenue to the player. For Cincinnati to make this work, they will need to construct a highly creative, MLS-approved financial package.
Neymar’s Current Status at Santos and World Cup Dreams
Because his contract with Santos expires in December 2026, Neymar could potentially sign a pre-contract agreement with an MLS club as early as June. However, his focus right now remains on his form in Brazil and his international aspirations.
The forward has shown encouraging form for Santos this year, recording three goals and two assists in his first four league appearances. Despite this, he was noticeably omitted from Brazil’s squad for the March friendlies by head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Neymar is desperate to fight his way back into Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Reacting to the recent snub, he told ESPN Brasil: “Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected. But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session… The dream lives on.”
Whether a high-profile move to MLS and FC Cincinnati helps or hinders his chances of a World Cup call-up remains to be seen. For now, the soccer world will be watching closely as Cincinnati attempts to pull off one of the biggest transfers in MLS history.
